Professor Maggi Savin-Baden
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Maggi is the Learning Innovation Research Group Director and a leading author, researcher and innovator in the field of problem-based learning internationally. She has researched staff and student experience of learning for over 20 years. Having completed 7 books in 7 years and undertaken 16 keynote speeches, 6 of which have been at prestigious overseas conferences Professor Savin-Baden has made an outstanding contribution to scholarship in the field of pedagogic research and problem based-learning. In particular she has:

1. Improved the type and quality of research that is undertaken in the field of problem-based learning which has prompted debate about curriculum design and possible models of problem-based learning at an international level.

2. Developed and implemented diverse forms of research-led learning (beyond those forms such as problem-based learning), and in particular the disciplinary differences. For example, using interpretative meta ethnography to explore disciplinary differences in uses and understandings of problem-based learning.

3. Used diverse qualitative approaches for research into learning and published articles challenging assumptions about understandings of validity in qualitative research. This has included organising two international conferences on Qualitative Evidence-based Practice in May 2000 and 2001.

4. Sustained global interest in her work, requests to speak and offer guidance, particularly in relation to the use of learning and PBL in immersive worlds, despite the dearth of literature in this field.

Recent publications

Savin-Baden, M. (2008) Liquid learning and troublesome spaces: journeys from the threshold? In R. Land., J. Meyer and Smith, J. (eds) Threshold Concepts within the Disciplines. Rotterdam: Sense Publishers

Savin-Baden, M. (2008) From cognitive capability to social reform? Shifting perceptions of learning in immersive virtual worlds. ALT-J Special issue on Learning in Immersive Virtual Worlds

Savin-Baden, M. (2008) Problem-based Learning in Electronic Engineering: Locating legends or Promising problems? International Journal of Electrical Engineering Education 45: 2 96-109

Savin-Baden, M.; Macfarlane, L and Savin-Baden, J. (2008) Learning spaces, agency and notions of improvement: what influences thinking and practices about teaching and learning in higher education. An interpretive meta-ethnography. London Review of Education 6(3) 211-229

Savin-Baden, M (2007) A Practical Guide to Problem-based Learning Online. London: Routledge

Savin-Baden, M. (2007) Learning Spaces. Creating Opportunities for Knowledge Creation in Academic Life.Maidenhead: McGraw Hill.